Jon Wilkin argued that even some of the most celebrated squads in Super League history would have struggled to overcome Wakefield Trinity on Saturday night, as Daryl Powell’s side produced a stunning upset against the Wigan Warriors and secured a place in the Grand Final. The match turned into a second‑half fireworks display, with Trinity halting Wigan’s 16‑match winning run and leaving Matt Peet’s men reeling under the relentless speed and power displayed by the visitors. The turning point arrived early in the second half when Wigan were reduced to 12 men after Adam Keighran received a sin‑bin for a tip‑tackle at the 45‑minute mark.
Wakefield seized the opportunity, rattling off three tries while the Australian five‑eighth served his time off the field. The first of those came when Tom Johnston dived into the corner to touch down, followed shortly by Jack Sinfield, who shrugged off Junior Nsemba in close quarters to cross the line. Within seven minutes, Corey Hall sprinted down the wing and powered his way over for a fourth try, and Ky Rodwell capped the 27‑point haul with a well‑timed finish after a superb pass from Jake Trueman.
Wigan had started the game brightly, matching Wakefield’s intensity in the opening exchanges. Brad O’Neill broke the deadlock after a tense first fifteen minutes, giving the Warriors a glimpse of control. However, after a two‑week break leading into the semi‑final, the League Leaders’ Shield winners appeared to lose steam in the second period.
Wilkin told Sky Sports, "Wigan were bad, but that was completely induced by what Wakefield threw at them. It was a clinical performance that was full of power, pace, energy, enthusiasm and execution. Nobody would have competed with Wakefield today.
Not one team in Super League. I'd go as far as to say some of the great teams we've had in the history of Super League wouldn't have competed with that 80 minutes that Wakefield have dished up." After the match, Wigan coach Matt Peet praised the opposition, acknowledging that his side had been well prepared but ultimately fell short.
"Wakefield were outstandingly good," Peet said. "All the credit in the world to them, to Daryl. We were outplayed, outcoached, and beaten all ends up.
Credit to them, it hurts, but the night belongs to them." The victory guarantees a new name on the Super League trophy, as Trinity will now meet Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final at Old Trafford next Saturday, a contest that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Powell’s coaching journey adds further intrigue to the story.
After departing Castleford Tigers at the end of the 2021 season—having guided them to a Challenge Cup final and their first Super League Grand Final—he took the reins at Wakefield in October 2023. In a remarkably short time, Powell has transformed the club from a Championship side into a Grand Final contender, delivering one of the best seasons in the club’s modern history. Wilkin reflected on Powell’s impact, noting, "I think the jury was still out after his spell at Castleford, but there is no doubt that Daryl Powell is an exceptional coach, who can get a group of men organised and directed to success.
That's what he's done, and he's done it with such style and class. Wakefield play with risk and they play the game in a beautiful way." Owner Matt Ellis also showered his team with praise, saying, "It’s still not sunk in yet. Four‑and‑a‑half thousand fans still singing away.
What a performance. That was the best performance in my time owning the club. So proud of them.
We just nailed it today, didn’t we? I didn’t think in my wildest dreams we’d be four scores up. I had a good feeling all week about it; all the pressure was on them. We came here, we were confident.
It’s a happy group, but it’s an even happier group right now. There are so many good stories, three years after relegation, and now we’re there!" The semi‑final also highlighted the depth of talent in Wakefield’s roster.
Jake Trueman’s distribution skills set up several tries, while the forward pack provided the platform with dominant carries and solid defense. The team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure, especially after the sin‑bin period, demonstrated a maturity that belied their recent promotion. Their defensive structure limited Wigan’s typically potent attack, forcing errors and capitalising on turnovers.
Looking ahead to the Grand Final, analysts will be watching how Wakefield’s high‑tempo, risk‑taking style matches up against Warrington’s more measured approach. The experience gained from this semi‑final victory will be invaluable, as the Wildcats will need to replicate the intensity and strategic execution that defined the night at the semi‑final. For Wakefield, the challenge will be to sustain the momentum while managing the physical toll of a demanding season. Fans can tune in to the Super League’s marquee event live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ on Saturday, October 3, from 5 p.m., or stream it contract‑free via NOW.
The anticipation builds as the sport’s biggest night approaches, promising a thrilling climax to a season that has already delivered unforgettable moments, none more striking than Wakefield’s remarkable triumph over a dominant Wigan side.